The NBA Las Vegas Summer League has been a revealing stage for the incoming 2024 draft class, parallel to second-year players and hopeful talents aspiring to secure their spots for the 2024-25 NBA season. As the summer league winds down, several standout performances and unexpected turns have highlighted the competition.
Top Picks Showcase Mixed Performances
The Houston Rockets' Reed Sheppard, selected as the No. 3 overall pick, emerged as a significant talent during the league. Over four games, Sheppard showcased his scoring and playmaking abilities, averaging 20 points per game, with 5.3 assists, and 4.8 rebounds, making a compelling case for his potential impact in the upcoming season.
Washington Wizards' forward Alex Sarr, the No. 2 overall pick, had an inconsistent showing. Sarr struggled particularly in one notable game where he shot a dismal 0 for 15 from the floor. Despite this setback, he managed to average 5.5 points per game during his summer league stint, leaving room for improvement before the regular season commences.
Zaccharie Risacher, the top overall pick by the Atlanta Hawks, was limited to just two games. In his brief appearances, Risacher finished 11 of 27 from the field, hinting at his scoring potential despite the small sample size. The Hawks will be eagerly watching how he integrates with the team moving forward.
Mid-First Rounders Making Their Marks
For the Detroit Pistons, Ron Holland, the No. 5 pick, faced challenges from beyond the arc, finishing 4 of 17 in three-point shooting. Similarly, Charlotte Hornets' No. 6 pick Tidjane Salaun also struggled from distance, going 1 of 10 from three-point range across three games, though he did average 9.0 points per game.
Portland Trail Blazers' Donovan Clingan, the No. 7 pick, delivered a defensive masterclass averaging 8.8 rebounds and 4.3 blocks in just under 26 minutes per game. Clingan also showed his versatility by making three three-pointers during the league.
Rob Dillingham, picked 8th by the Minnesota Timberwolves, had a standout performance in a game against the Magic, where he posted a team-high 25 points and 12 assists. This display indicates his potential to be a key playmaker for the Timberwolves.
Emerging Talents
Chicago Bulls’ No. 11 pick Matas Buzelis had a notable game against the Warriors, scoring 28 points, grabbing five rebounds, and making two steals. His contributions in five games highlight his potential as a significant asset for the Bulls.
Despite suffering an ankle injury against the Pelicans, Memphis Grizzlies' No. 9 pick Zach Edey made a strong impression in the Salt Lake City Summer League with 14 points, 15 rebounds, and four blocks. The Grizzlies will be hopeful for his quick recovery and continued development.
Cody Williams, the 10th pick by the Utah Jazz, excelled offensively by shooting an impressive 73.9% on shots in the paint across seven games spanning the Salt Lake City and Las Vegas Summer Leagues. His efficiency in the paint is a promising sign for the Jazz’s frontcourt depth.
Injuries Keep Prominent Picks Sidelined
Two notable absences in the summer league were Oklahoma City Thunder's Nikola Topić and Sacramento Kings' Devin Carter. Topić missed out due to a torn ACL, while Carter was sidelined following shoulder surgery. Their recoveries will be crucial for their respective teams’ strategies as they prepare for the regular season.
Impressive Individual Performances
Meanwhile, Carlton Carrington, selected at No. 14 by the Washington Wizards, had a standout game recording 13 points, 15 rebounds, five assists, and two steals against the Bucks. Carrington, who recently turned 19, demonstrated his all-around game, providing a glimpse of what he could offer the Wizards in the future.
Additionally, Stephon Castle showcased his talent in a limited capacity. In his single Las Vegas Summer League game, Castle tallied an impressive 22 points, five rebounds, four assists, and two three-pointers, adding to his three games at the California Classic.
As the Las Vegas Summer League concludes, the performances of these young prospects provide a tantalizing preview of the new faces we can expect to see in the NBA’s 2024-25 season. While some have solidified their potential, others have shown that there's ample room for growth and development. The journey to the regular season is only just beginning, and these players have laid down markers of what could be a promising year for the NBA's future stars.